Around 30 candidates are expected to run for eight positions on Nanaimo City Council this fall, with the candidate nomination window opening Tuesday, Sept. 1. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

putting names forward

Candidate nomination window opens ahead of 2026 Municipal Election

Sep 1, 2026 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — Candidates interested in running for a variety of elected positions across the mid-Island can now make their intentions official

Tuesday, Sept. 1 marks the start of an eleven-day nomination period for candidates to submit the required paperwork to be included on the ballot on Oct. 17 for municipal Mayor or Council, School Board, Regional District Board, or Islands Trust.

Candidate nomination packages can be collected from the office of the jurisdiction candidates are interested in running for, such as Town or City Halls, or School District offices.

Nominations close Friday, Sept. 11.

After a week-long verification and consideration period, during which candidates can withdraw their nomination, the official campaign period begins on Sept. 19.

putting names forward

Candidate nomination window opens ahead of 2026 Municipal Election

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The election campaign in Nanaimo is expected to be a crowded one, with around 30 candidates for Council and four Mayoral contenders expected.

The numbers are similar to 2022, when 29 Council and four Mayoral candidates were on the ballot.

NanaimoNewsNOW’s formal coverage of the 2026 Municipal Election begins Oct. 1 with our candidate survey, and new this year, our interactive Know Your Vote tool where voters can see which candidates align with their personal viewpoints on a range of issues.

Advance voting days are scheduled across the mid-Island on Oct. 7 and 14, ahead of the general voting day on Oct. 17

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Candidate nomination window opens ahead of 2026 Municipal Election

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